THE ALBUM Everything I Long For was recorded over several months in Toronto between February '94 and January '95. Nine of the 14 songs were recorded late at night on 4-track in my bedroom, usually only hours after they were written.

"Bad as They Seem": This is about a guy who spends his summer days playing guitar on the roof of his parents' house, writing songs about different neighbors as they walk by.

"In September": A story about two people who decided to stay together while going to school in different cities. Also a story about why they shouldn't have stayed together while going to school in different cities. The song was recorded on 8-track at my friend Blaine Johnson's house.

"We Don't Mind": A story about calling in sick to spend the day with someone you love.

"Tragedy": This is my favorite-sounding song on the record because of the reverb guitar and electric train noises.

"Stem": Once I stopped in at a variety store to buy a rose for a date. On the way to her house I ran into some wind and lost all of the petals.

"Skates": This kind of turned into an epic, running at just over seven minutes. The song speaks for itself.

"I'm to Blame": The piano part in this song was recorded in my living room two years before the vocals were recorded. I decided to turn it into a real song when I rediscovered the piece and started humming along. It was originally written as a soundtrack for a school film.

"Assignment in Space With Rip Foster": I recorded this song wearing a space suit.

"Driveway": This was fun to record. My friend Jose played drums and we practiced it for an hour before starting to tape. The best part was making up a bass line and four different guitar parts on the spot.

"Hardly": I was in a coffee shop with a friend when I noticed a beautiful girl sitting close by. "Hardly" is the tale of my sorry attempt to give her my number. Listen carefully for the rented cello sounds of Guy Cannotplayit.

"You Were Loved": The highlight of this song for me are the electric guitar sounds in the chorus. I turned my Mustang up to 10 and threw it down my staircase.

"When This Is Over": A song about two brothers.

"My Parent's House": If you listen carefully, you can hear the squeaking of the foot pedal on my parents' piano.

"Lounging":This is a song about taking it easy.